Dear Progressive Reader,

This weekend The Progressive has been hosting a celebration of the centenary of Robert M. La Follette’s third-party campaign for the presidency in 1924. We held a conference with scholars and authors and exhibit of historic artifacts at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, on Thursday and Friday, plus a performance by La Follette’s great granddaughter, Tavia La Follette about her ancestor Belle Case La Follette at the Arts+Literature Laboratory. And tonight, at the Barrymore Theatre we will have an event with musicians and speakers—including Jim Hightower—and more! For information about all of the events, visit progressive.org/progressive-presidency. All events are free and open to the public. Many will also be posted later as videos on our YouTube channel.

This week on our website, Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J.S. Davies look at a new report on how Israel has been using Artificial Intelligence to target Palestinians, and then they go on to compare this to other “kill lists” that have been used by the United States. Benjamin is currently in Türkiye, where she is waiting to depart for Gaza with the Freedom Flotilla—if they are allowed to sail. “Given the urgency and danger this moment presents, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition is entering rough and uncharted waters. We are calling on countries around the world to pressure Israel to allow us ‘free and safe passage’ to Gaza,” she writes.

Also, Mike Ervin talks about how Disney has made it much harder for wheelchair users to enjoy its theme parks; Glenn Daigon examines the future of a national guaranteed income; and Bill Blum reports on a debate in the U.S. Supreme Court over the meaning of the word “otherwise” and how it might impact the trials of January 6 defendants. Plus Jesse Fairbanks pens an op-ed another Supreme Court case that could allow unhoused people to be fined for sleeping outdoors; Moira Marquis describes efforts by a Georgia bookstore to get reading material to people in prison; and Anthony Pahnke opines on continuing efforts by framers around the world to stand up against unfair “free trade” rules.

Finally, this Sunday marks Workers Memorial Day. In a proclamation from the White House, President Joe Biden said, “I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate service, community, and education programs and ceremonies in memory of those killed or injured due to unsafe working conditions.” But, as Jessica Martinez and Katelyn Parady of the National Council for Occupational safety and Health point out, “This year, unfortunately, preventable fatalities in U.S. workplaces are increasing. So are preventable illnesses and injuries.” One of the key factors that must be addressed is climate change, causing extreme heat conditions in many workplaces. But “companies and the politicians they employ are doing everything possible to resist the changes workers need,” they explain. This year, let’s not just observe this day and move on. We must, as Biden said in his proclamation, “recommit to making sure every worker has the peace of mind of knowing that they are protected at work and can return home safe to their families every night.”

Please keep reading, and we will keep bringing you important articles on these and other issues of our time.

Sincerely,

Norman Stockwell
Publisher

P.S. – Don’t miss a minute of the “hidden history” of 2024 – you can still order The Progressive’s new Hidden History of the United States calendar for the coming year. NOW HALF PRICE – Just $7.50 plus $3.00 shipping. Just go to indiepublishers.shop, and while you are there, check out some of our other great offerings as well.

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